sports personal statement examples

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Personal Statement Examples From student-athletes

What is a personal statement? A personal statement is your chance to show college coaches who you are outside of your academic and athletic life. It provides an opportunity to showcase your character, extracurricular activities, and anything else you would want a coach to know about you that they can’t get from stats or video. 

As a student-athlete, you should include your personal statement in your NCSA athletic profile. You can also use the information from your personal statement to help formulate introduction letters or emails to college coaches . 

4 Steps to Writing a Personal Statement

Step 1: be yourself..

When writing your personal statement, be honest and be personal. This is something to keep at the forefront of your mind as you write and revise the statement.  

There is no need to write this like an academic paper; instead, tell everything you want your recruiter to know about you. Don’t be ashamed to “boast” your achievements. At the same time, share your passions and what motivates you when it comes to your college future.  

Step 2: Be specific.

Being specific in your personal statement means answering questions like “So what?” and “Why me?” when describing what you bring to your dream college team. This includes:  

• Awards and accolades  
• Academics (beyond what is displayed on your athletic profile) 
• Experiences, hardships, and lessons learned 
• Motivations 
• Future goals 
• Leadership roles 

When writing your personal statement, use these questions as a guideline, but make sure your personal statement is unique to you. It should highlight what is impressive about you and your life, such as: 

• What details of your life have influenced who you are? 
• When and how did you become interested in your sport? 
• What have you learned about yourself through playing your sport? 
• What are your academic goals for high school? For college? 
• Have you had to overcome any obstacles to get where you are? 
• What unique characteristics or skills do you possess? 

Step 3: Edit and proofread for spelling and grammar.

Once the first draft of your personal statement is written, review it and focus on: 

• Spelling and grammatical errors  
• Specificity    
• Relevancy    
• Clarity with simple, concise language  
• Active voice (rather than passive voice)    

Then, read the essay aloud to help catch additional mistakes and hear how the writing flows to identify areas of improvement. If you have family or friends who can proofread your personal statement, that will only make it better. This is your chance to shine and make a good impression on a college coach, so give your full effort.  

Step 4: Rework your opening sentence.

Lastly, make sure to work on and rework your opening sentence to grab the reader’s attention. It should be personal to you, not using any clichés or quotes. This is arguably the most important part of the statement! 

NCSA Personal Statement Examples

Seeking some inspiration for your NCSA personal statement? Review the two examples below from real student-athletes. What makes these statements flourish is that they do not simply repeat the baseline information in the players’ applications and athletic profiles. 

Personal Statement for Women’s Basketball

Here is a personal statement from basketball player Laura Marx , hailing from Menomonee Falls, WI. 

What did Laura do well here? For one, she provides plenty of specificity with detail on the exact basketball skills she brings to a team followed by her involvement in other sports clubs. This underscores her dedication to the sport.  

Throughout the essay, her statements are clear and concise, staying on-topic to her personal passions and accomplishments.  

Additionally, she emphasizes her involvement in academic organizations and the community, tying it all together with her desire to thrive both on the court and in the classroom.  

Personal Statement for Men’s Football

Check out this personal statement from football player Cormac Shanoff of Little Falls, MN.

This personal statement begins strong by sharing his involvement in two other sports aside from football. This helps highlight his dedication and well-roundedness as an athlete.  

He does an especially excellent job at keeping the statement truly personal, with the first section displaying a sense of authenticity and vulnerability. Cormac highlights life lessons he has learned from playing on a team, such as the importance of teamwork and camaraderie.  

However, he doesn’t forget to be specific by addressing his sports awards, leadership skills, and academic goals.  

How long should a personal statement be? 

As a very general rule of thumb, the word count range for a personal statement is about 500 to 650 words. Ultimately, this depends on the specific requirements provided the university—so, pay attention to your application instructions.  

For college sports, a personal statement length requirement might range anywhere from 200 to 650 words, for instance. 

Does a personal statement matter? 

Including a personal statement with your application is always a good idea, particularly if it’s a college you would really like to attend. If coaches are between two applications, a strong, well-written personal statement will help set you apart.  

For student-athletes, meeting the college’s athletic standards is only the first step. Studies have shown that coaches place high importance on athletes’ character and coachability over pure athletic ability. Thus, demonstrating humility, patience, and willingness to learn is key when you are trying to stand out. 

Get Recruited with more NCSA resources

Now that you’ve got a grasp on writing a sports-centric personal statement for college coaches, check out our College Recruiting Guide to dive more deeply into key areas of the recruiting process. 

If you’re ready to build your free online athletic recruiting profile (including a personal statement) to tell coaches who you are, click here ! 

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• Sports Science Personal Statement Examples

A degree in Sports Science is a popular choice for those with a passion for sports and an interest in the science behind athletic performance. 

Writing a sports science personal statement is an essential part of the UCAS application process , as it provides admissions selectors with an insight into your academic abilities, personal qualities, and career aspirations. 

We have collected a few Sports Science personal statement examples from successful applicants who have secured places at top universities. 

These examples will help you to understand what makes a good Sports Science personal statement and inspire you to write one.

Ever since my first encounter with Sports Science at the Advanced Level, I have been captivated by the intricate interplay of physicality, theory, and science, which has fueled my desire to pursue a sports-related career. As I delved into the subject, my passion for understanding the human body and its potential for athletic excellence grew exponentially, laying the foundation for my aspirations in this field.

In my academic journey, I have developed a particular interest in the science of nutrition and research. I am fascinated by how our bodies respond to different nutrients and how proper nourishment can optimise athletic performance. Through my studies, I aim to unlock the secrets of nutrition in sports, harnessing its power to give athletes a competitive edge. Furthermore, I am eager to contribute to the growing body of research in the field, as I believe that our understanding of sports science is continually evolving and has the potential to revolutionize the future of health and wellness.

My love for sports began in 2005 when I joined Leeds Athletics Club, where I discovered my talent and passion for throwing the javelin. This experience honed my athletic abilities and instilled a sense of discipline, resilience, and teamwork – values that have become integral to my character. As a Sports Science student, I am excited to combine my personal experiences and academic interests to deepen my understanding of the physical and mental aspects of sports, and ultimately apply this knowledge to help others achieve their full potential.

Apart from my intellectual pursuits, I am determined to make the most of my university experience by immersing myself in campus life. I am confident in my motivation and enthusiasm to take on new challenges, and I look forward to joining clubs, engaging in social events, and forging lasting connections with my peers. Additionally, I am passionate about maintaining my Portuguese language skills, travelling, and acquiring new skills. Despite a back injury from motor quad riding that has limited my physical activities to swimming and running, my love for sports remains undeterred, and I am eager to explore alternative ways to stay active and healthy.

The prospect of studying Sports Science at the university level fills me with immense excitement and anticipation. I am certain that this programme will provide me with the theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and professional network necessary to excel in a sports-related career. As I embark on this next chapter of my life, I am committed to pushing the boundaries of my understanding, exploring new frontiers in sports science, and ultimately making a lasting impact in the world of sports and beyond.

Recommended guides for reading

• How to Write a Personal Statement for a Master’s
• How to Write a Personal Statement for a PhD
• UCAS Personal Statement: A Writing Guide And Tips For Success
• Tips for Writing a Personal Statement for the University
• How to Write a Personal Statement That Stands Out
• UCAS Application: Process and Deadlines Explained in Details
• Personal Statement Examples UK

Personal Statement Sports Science

From a young age, I have been fascinated by the science behind human movement and performance, and I am now eager to pursue this passion further by enrolling in a degree programme in sports science.

My academic background has prepared me well for the rigours of university-level study. I have excelled in science and mathematics courses, including biology, chemistry, physics, and calculus. In addition, I have taken several sports-related courses, such as physical education and sports psychology, which have given me a solid foundation in the principles of sports science. I believe that my strong academic record and interest in sports science make me an ideal candidate for your programme.

One of the main reasons I am drawn to sports science is its potential to make a real difference in people’s lives. I am particularly interested in the role that sports science can play in promoting health and well-being, both at the individual and community levels. I believe that by studying sports science, I will gain the knowledge and skills to make a positive impact on people’s lives, through developing and implementing exercise programmes, promoting physical activity, and researching new approaches to health and wellness.

I am also excited about the opportunity to conduct research in sports science. I am particularly interested in the areas of biomechanics and exercise physiology, and I am eager to explore the latest research in these fields. I believe that by conducting research, I will be able to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in sports science and help to improve our understanding of human movement and performance.

In addition to my academic interests, I have also been an active participant in sports throughout my life. I have competed in a variety of sports, including soccer, basketball, and track and field, and have always been interested in the science behind these activities. I believe that my practical experience in sports will be an asset in my studies, as I will be able to apply my knowledge to real-world situations.

I believe that studying sports science at university will provide me with the knowledge, skills, and experience to pursue a rewarding career in this field. I am excited about the prospect of continuing my education in this area, and I look forward to the opportunity to contribute to your programme.

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Sports science degree courses: read the small print

Sport degrees come with many different titles and flavours, ranging from those that are very science-based, to those approaching sport from a cultural, development, or management angle. Such as, it’s important to give lots of thought to the kind of course that most closely meets your personal needs and expectations. Choose carefully, and focus your personal statement accordingly.

Don’t judge a course just by its title either, because there are often distinct differences between courses with the same name. Even courses with the word ‘science’ in the title will vary considerably in the level of scientific knowledge they expect.

Sports science personal statement pointers

Durham University's website has a really helpful checklist for students applying for its sport, exercise, and physical activity degree, and suggests focusing your statement around questions such as:

• Why do you want to study it?
• What specifically interests or excites you about the subject?
• What have you read, seen, or heard about recently that intrigues you about the subject?
• What current issues do you want to learn more about?
• Is there a specific part of the course that interests you?
• What are your own achievements and ambitions?
• What relevant experience, skills, or qualities can you offer?

The British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences says that the qualities graduates find most helpful in their subsequent careers are time management, communication, organisation, negotiation, and presentation skills – so, if you can demonstrate any of those, all the better.

But don't waste space quoting famous sports stars who have inspired you. As Bournemouth University’s admissions tutor said: 'I’m really fed up of Muhammad Ali quotes.'

Show your personality in your sports science statement

Admissions tutors Tom Webb and Jo Corbett at the University of Portsmouth really want to hear your voice and personality come through in your statement. Think about some of these questions:

• What makes you different?
• What part does sport play in your life, and why is it important to you?
• Do you know where you want to be in five years’ time? If so, don’t be afraid to say.
• What experience of sport do you have?
• Is your personality running through your personal statement? Studying and working in sport is often about interacting with people and being a 'people person.'

Remember – don't overlook that this is also a science course. You'll need to demonstrate your awareness of this, particularly if you’re applying for a sport degree that involves rigorous scientific study

All sport and no science won’t impress

We also had some great advice from the Sport and Exercise Science degree at University of Bath, which they themselves stressed is very much ‘a science course in which sport is just the context in which you study science.’ Their advice once again is that your statement needs to focus around the specific courses you’re applying for, and to answer the question: ‘Why do I want to study this subject further at degree level?’

So while you might be very tempted to write several paragraphs about all your sporting achievements, you’ve got to ask yourself if it’s relevant. As far as this particular course at Bath is concerned, all sport and no science won’t impress.

Some of your sporting successes could also be covered in your reference, saving precious space in your personal statement to talk more about science. Another approach might be to write about scientific issues that relate to your own performance.

Bath also gave us a tip for applicants who might want to apply for two or more different types of sport course within your five choices. Their advice is ‘can you write a personal statement that covers them all? It’s perfectly possible to do this. The secret is not to write 50% on one course and 50% on the other, but to blend your content in a way that makes 100% of your statement highly relevant to both courses.’

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5 Sports Coaching Personal Statement Examples to Inspire Your Own

By knbbs-sharer.

Sports Coaching Personal Statement Examples To Inspire Your Own

Sports coaching is an essential aspect of training and development in athletics. It goes beyond just teaching the sport itself but encompasses life skills and character building that assist athletes in their careers and personal lives. When applying for a sports coaching position, a personal statement is your chance to share your unique selling proposition. Here are five sports coaching personal statement examples to inspire your own:

1. The Passionate Coach

As a lifelong sports enthusiast, my passion for coaching began when I was a teenager. I was a natural-born leader, rallying teams and guiding them towards victory. I enjoy working with athletes and helping them improve their skills while also instilling essential life skills that carry over into their personal lives. I believe that athletics can teach resilience, teamwork, and discipline, leading to well-rounded individuals.

2. The Experienced Coach

With over 15 years of golf coaching experience, I have worked with players of all levels, from beginners to professionals. I am dedicated to my craft, and I enjoy seeing my players attain their goals, whether that be winning a local tournament or achieving a perfect swing. My experience has taught me to be adaptable to different personalities and strategies, allowing me to cater to each athlete’s unique situation.

3. The Innovative Coach

I am a forward-thinking coach, always on the lookout for new and innovative ideas that can help my athletes reach their full potential. I understand that each athlete is different, and I strive to create a customized approach that considers their needs and desires. I am dedicated to staying up-to-date on the latest training techniques and strategies, ensuring my athletes have a competitive edge.

4. The Student-Focused Coach

My coaching philosophy puts the athlete first, focusing on their individualized goals and aspirations. I believe that coaching is more than just teaching technique; it’s about building a relationship with your athlete and creating an environment that fosters growth and development. By putting my athletes first and personalizing my approach, I have had much success coaching multiple national champions.

5. The Collaborative Coach

As a coach, I recognize it takes a team to achieve success. I am a collaborative coach, working with experts from various fields to create holistic training plans that encompass all aspects of an athlete’s development. I am passionate about empowering my athletes with the knowledge and skills required to manage their careers and personal lives successfully.

A sports coaching personal statement is an opportunity to showcase your skills, philosophy, and approach to coaching. By using one of these five examples above, you can learn how to craft a personalized and compelling statement that highlights your unique qualities as a coach. Remember, coaching is not just about the sport itself but also about building relationships, developing character, and helping athletes achieve their full potential.

(Note: Do you have knowledge or insights to share? Unlock new opportunities and expand your reach by joining our authors team. Click Registration to join us and share your expertise with our readers.)

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• Personal Statements
• Sport Science Personal Statement

Sport Science Personal Statement Example

Sample statement.

From an early age I enjoyed an active, outdoor lifestyle and have always been involved in various sports teams. Starting at the age of seven I have been a member of our local football team, moving up the age categories and helping the team become one of the best in the area.

Although football is my main interest I am also a member of other local sports teams including cricket and rugby. When I am not playing team sports I am a regular runner and swimmer, and have recently become interested in weight training and body building.

Throughout my school career I was an active player in the school football, rugby, tennis, and athletics teams, working with the other team members and our coaches to achieve many prizes and trophies.

Sport has had a major impact on my life and I understand the dedication and hard work it takes to become a top sportsman. Many of the great sportsmen and women have inspired me from childhood including David Beckham, Paula Radcliffe, and American athlete Dick Fosbury.

Outside of school I combine my sporting activities with working part-time in my local supermarket. This role has helped me to further develop my teamwork skills, as well as teaching me the value of good communication and being able to use my own initiative.

During Year 10 I completed a work experience placement at my local primary school where I gained hands-on experience of what working with young child is really like. It was this work experience, and my time spent being a voluntary coach for my local under 11’s football team, that prompted my decision to become a Physical Education teacher.

I feel that my achievements and dedication in my own preferred sports can help inspire a younger generation to be passionate about sport and encourage them to have an active lifestyle.

I hope that studying Sports Science to degree level will help me develop my skills and give me a better understanding of the human body. I then aim to complete a PGCE course and become a teacher.

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Sports Science Personal Statements to Inspire You

Table of Contents

Aspiring sports scientists can learn a lot from reading through the personal statements of successful applicants to graduate programs in sports science. This article collects some of the best samples and offers advice on how to write your own statement. So, if you need an example of a good  personal statement about sports , this is the article for you.

How to Craft a Good Personal Statement About Sports

The personal statement might be the most important document you submit as an applicant to a graduate program in sports science. This document is your opportunity to introduce yourself, explain why you want to study sports science , and share your experiences and qualifications. A strong personal statement can make the difference between being accepted into a program or not.

Understand What the Admissions Committee Wants

The first step in writing a good personal statement is understanding what the admission committee is looking for. Most committees are interested in learning about your academic background, research experience, and professional goals. In addition, they want to know how studying sports science will help you achieve these goals. It’s also helpful to discuss any relevant volunteer or work experience you have with sports-related organizations. 

Explain Your Passion for Sports Science

When drafting your statement, be sure to focus on explaining why you are passionate about studying sports science. You should be able to convince them that you are passionate about sports science. If you’ve done something related to sports before, indicate it.

Highlight Your Skills

Highlight any unique sports-related skills or experiences that make you stand out from other applicants. Be specific when describing how your previous academic training and/or work has prepared you for pursuing a career in this field. Finally, it’s imperative that you conclude your personal statement by demonstrating your commitment to completing the program. Discuss what you plan to research when you enroll.

Examples of Personal Statements About Sports

Read through the examples here to find a great personal statement about sports you can use.

As a university student, I am in the middle of my life’s journey. Each year is packed with new opportunities and challenges. This year, I have decided to explore the field of sports science. 

Sports science has always been an area of interest for me because it intersects both my academic and athletic interests. In particular, I find biomechanics fascinating; understanding how our bodies move and how we can improve performance fascinates me. Furthermore, as someone who loves being active, studying sports psychology intrigues me. Learning about what motivates athletes and helping them achieve their goals is definitely something that appeals to me.

As I begin my fourth year of university, I am confident that the time has come for me to declare a major. After much deliberation, I have decided that sports science is the best fit for me. This career path will allow me to merge my two favorite things: sports and science. 

Since I was young, I have been interested in both athletics and understanding how the body works. Sports science encompasses all aspects of athletic performance, from biomechanics to physiology to nutrition. By pursuing this major, I will be able to work with athletes and also help regular people stay healthy and active throughout their lives. 

I believe that universities offer an excellent opportunity for students to explore different majors before deciding on what they want to do. As someone who loves change and new experiences, declaring this major was one of the easiest decisions that I have made thus far.

Personal statements allow you to put yourself out there and explain what you can do . How you write your personal statement is ultimately your decision, just as long as it relates to sports. For example, you may want to cite your baseball skills and show how they relate to science. In another instance, you may choose to highlight your strong leadership skills.

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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Sports science personal statements

On this page you'll find a collection of real personal statements written by students applying to study sports science and related courses at university.

These personal statements are written by real students - don't expect them all to be perfect! But by reading through a few of these samples, you'll be able to get some ideas and inspiration for your own personal statement. 

Sports science personal statement examples

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Sport Science

Applied in: winter 2013, university offers: bath, exeter, loughborough, hertfordshire.

The field of Sport Science with Management has increasingly become my clear choice of university study. I have been passionate about sport since a young age and it has been an extensive part of my life. At age fifteen, I took advantage of the option to study intensive sport for an additional three hours per week. This enabled me to try out different activities such as athletics and badminton. I succeeded well in badminton and was selected to represent my region in competitions. Furthermore, this subject included an hour per week studying sport theory, which focused on the technical rules and regulations of various sports. In addition to my passion for sport I am also interested in the science of the underlying functioning of the human body and its responses to aerobic and anaerobic exercise. I chose to study the scientific option of the French Baccalaureate, which includes components of biology, maths, physics and chemistry. I am eager to gain a greater understanding of the science of the body’s physiological reactions during sport and how this can be supported and enhanced by specific techniques, equipment or clothing.

Apart from my sporting studies at school, I was a member of a tennis club from age seven, playing well enough to become captain of the squad five years later. This role gave me first-hand experience of what it means to be responsible for others, understanding team-mates’ needs, learning how to motivate individuals and deciding on team strategies. I understood that it is essential to set an example and be a role model for younger tennis players. I was happy to take on these extra responsibilities. As I wanted to get more involved in tennis, I applied to be a ball boy at Roland Garros when I was fourteen. The Paris-based championship has a very thorough and competitive selection process and I was proud to be successful, thanks in part to my strong commitment during the selection week. I really appreciated the opportunity to help the world’s greatest tennis players, which gave me a further taste for responsibilities and discipline.

I have already had experience of living in an English-speaking country; from the ages of one to seven I lived in New York, where I learnt English at the French American School of New York in Larchmont, USA. Arriving in London with my family from France in August 2012 I enrolled into my schools’ badminton club. I participated in numerous tournaments, which led to me being selected to represent our school at the ISSA international competition in Lisbon. I have been informed me that I will be invited to represent my school once again in this tournament in the coming year.

My educational experience this year at the Lycee Francais Charles de Gaulle has opened my eyes to how powerful sport can be and to the important and integral role it can play, not only in health and education, but also in society in general. Living in London during the 2012 London Olympic Games helped me gain an understanding of the link between sport and commerce. I have been inspired by the lasting and positive impact the Olympic Games has had on the British economy. During my work experience in a sailing school in Brittany when I was sixteen, I had a first taste of the commerce of sport, not only teaching children to sail, but also assisting in the management of the school. This involved organising the timetable of the lessons and being responsible for the enrolment of the children. I also had the opportunity of work experience in a hotel where I was able to observe many aspects of the running of it, from reception to the management of the restaurants.

These experiences allowed me to be directly exposed to management and to understand the importance of the commercial, marketing and accounting functions involved in running a successful business. Applying the knowledge I would gain through studying the science of sport in a business context combined with my passion for this field, is a very exciting prospect for me.

Please note UCAS will detect any form of plagiarism. PSE and its contributors do not take any responsibility for the way in which personal statements are used.

Home — Essay Samples — Life — Adventure Sports — The Impact of Sports Participation in College: Personal Statement

The Impact of Sports Participation in College: Personal Statement

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Sports science personal statement example 3.

Throughout my life, I have always enjoyed engaging in Physical Education and would like to pursue my career in the field of sports science. I have always had a keen interest and have felt very passionately when it comes to the practical and theoretical work concerning Physical Education. I am very aware of the importance of exercise and the related issues of diet and fitness on the prevention of injury in the human body

I am currently studying A2 Physical Education, A2 Psychology, and AS Biology. These subjects have appealed to me because of the variety of topics that they covered. The aspects of Biology I find particularly interesting are about health and nutrition and how the body is affected by exercise and nutrition. In Psychology, I am very interested in what makes people unique and how the psychological or mental conscience could affect an individuals thinking. During my time studying Physical Education, I have undertaken research assignments in a variety of topics such as motivation, reinforcement, and local provisions. Completing these assignments has always been a challenge and it gives me a chance to work hard and improve my knowledge in Physical Education

I have been awarded my 'Community Sports Leadership Award (CSLA)'. As part of this course I was required to complete a number of hours of voluntary work putting my skills into practice. My voluntary work included helping to organise an indoor sports competition, taking P.E lessons for a primary school, and assisting with badminton sessions at my local leisure centre. I have also achieved a 'First Aid' qualification which has enabled me to acquire the knowledge when dealing with dangerous or life threatening injuries. I am now fully qualified to work with children of all ages participating in sporting activities

I am an active person with a wide variety of interest outside college

I have a keen interest in sports and have represented my school and college cricket teams as well as representing my local club. Other sporting interests include playing Badminton, Squash, Football, Hockey, and Volleyball. I enjoy going to the gym, and like to travel around the U.K during my holidays

Studying Sports Science will require commitment and hard work, and I am determined to use my time and dedication in this field as I hope to achieve my career aspirations by studying sports science, which would hopefully lead me to the direction of becoming a successful sports therapist.

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Related Personal Statements

Few minor grammar mistakes,.

Fri, 19/10/2007 - 17:21

few minor grammar mistakes, but other than that- excellent! Straight to the point, no babble, your experience and awards speak for themselves! Sure you'll have no trouble being accepted!

Well done with this personal

Wed, 14/01/2009 - 21:06

Well done with this personal statement works well with specific detail and information

why dont you do a sports

Mon, 12/10/2009 - 16:17

why dont you do a sports therapy course if thats the career you want? :)

who is this? intruder?

Thu, 12/11/2009 - 12:38

This personal statement has

Sun, 09/01/2011 - 13:21

This personal statement has been very helpful, thank you. As far as the dick heads above who have obviously completed degrees and gone on to doctorates, why exactly are they using a site to provide assistance with personal statements?

Y HAV PPLE DISSED THIS GREAT

Wed, 12/01/2011 - 16:35

Y HAV PPLE DISSED THIS GREAT ATTEMPT AT A STATEMENT. IT HAS HELPED ME GREATLY THANKS

This is a great attempt.. it

Fri, 12/08/2011 - 18:56

This is a great attempt.. it has helped me a lot!! Thanks :)

Thanks very much for this it

Mon, 12/12/2011 - 20:35

Thanks very much for this it helped me greatly. i couldnt have done my personal statement without it!

I need a personal statement about sport Psychology

Wed, 30/05/2012 - 08:18

If possible please give me a example personal statement about sport and exercise psychology.

dis is well sick in it lad

Tue, 12/06/2012 - 12:20

Really helpful, helped to

Wed, 27/06/2012 - 09:35

Really helpful, helped to give me a good structure for my personal statment :) thanks

Thankyou very much.

Thu, 25/10/2012 - 20:28

very helpful if only mine was

Wed, 09/10/2013 - 15:11

very helpful if only mine was like this

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How to Write a Non-Cliche College Essay About Sports + Examples

What’s covered:, what makes a sports essay cliche.

• How To Make Your Sports Essay Unique

Great Examples of College Essays About Sports

Where to get your college essay edited for free, or by an expert.

You’ve been brainstorming essay topics for your college applications, and you think you’ve finally found the right one: an extended metaphor likening your experience on the field with overcoming personal struggles. The problem: many other students have this same thought. 

The purpose of a college essay is to make yourself stand out as a unique individual, but when students write about sports, they often blend in. Because of that, students are usually advised to pick a different topic.

That being said, it is possible to write a non-cliche college essay about sports if you put in a little extra effort. Read along to learn how to make your sports essay different from all the other sports essays.

Sports essays are cliche when they follow a standard trajectory. Some of these trajectories include writing a story about:

• An agonizing defeat
• Forging bonds with teammates
• Overcoming adversity
• Overcoming an injury
• Refusing to quit
• Victory during a big game

Because sports essays have very similar themes and “lessons learned,” it can be difficult to make your story stand out. These trajectories also often focus too much on the sport or storyline, and not enough on the writer’s reflections and personality.

As you write your essay, try to think about what your experience says about you rather than what you learned from your experience. You are more than just one lesson you learned!

(Keep in mind that the sports essay is not the only college essay cliche. Learn about other essay cliches and how to fix them in our complete guide).

How to Make Your Sports Essay Unique

1. focus on a specific moment or reflection..

The college essay is a way for students to humanize themselves to admissions officers. You do not feel human if you are describing yourself as just another player on the field!

One important way to make your essay about you (not just about sports) is by focusing on a specific moment in time and inviting the reader to join you in that moment. Explain to the reader what it would be like to be sitting in that locker room as you questioned the values of the other players on your team. Ask your reader to sit with you on the cot in the trainer’s room as your identity was stripped away from you when they said “your body can’t take this anymore.” Bring your reader to the dinner table and involve them in your family’s conversation about how sports were affecting your mental health and your treatment of those around you.

Intense descriptions of a specific experience will evoke emotions in your reader and allow them to connect with you and feel for you.

When in doubt, avoid anything that can be covered by ESPN. On ESPN, we see the games, we see the benches, we even see the locker rooms and training rooms. Take your reader somewhere different and show them something unique.

2. Use sports to point out broader themes in your life.

The main risk when writing about sports is neglecting to write about yourself. Before you get started, think about the main values that you want to express in your sports essay. Sports are simply your avenue for telling the reader what makes you unique. 

As a test, imagine if you were a pianist. Would you be able to talk about these same values? What if you were a writer? Or a chemist? Articulating your values is the end, and sports should simply be your means.

Some values that you might want to focus on:

• Autonomy (you want to be able to set your mind to anything and achieve it on your own)
• Growth (you seek improvement constantly)
• Curiosity (you are willing to try anything once)
• Vulnerability (you aren’t afraid to fail, as long as you give it your all)
• Community (you value the feedback of others and need camaraderie to succeed)
• Craft (you think that with deliberate care, anything can be perfected)
• Responsibility (you believe that you owe something to those around you and perhaps they also owe something to you)

You can use the ESPN check again to make sure that you are using sports as an avenue to show your depth.

Things ESPN covers: how a player reacts to defeat, how injuries affect a player’s gameplay/attitude, how players who don’t normally work well together are working together on their new team.

Things ESPN doesn’t cover: the conversation that a player had with their mother about fear of death before going into a big surgery (value: family and connection), the ways that the intense pressure to succeed consumed a player to the point they couldn’t be there for the people in their life (value: supporting others and community), the body image issues that weigh on a player’s mind when playing their sport and how they overcame those (value: health and growth).

3. Turn a cliche storyline on its head.

There’s no getting around the fact that sports essays are often cliche. But there is a way to confront the cliche head-on. For example, lots of people write essays about the lessons they learned from an injury, victory, and so on, but fewer students explain how they are embracing those lessons. 

Perhaps you learned that competition is overwhelming for you and you prefer teamwork, so you switched from playing basketball to playing Dungeons & Dragons. Maybe, when your softball career ended abruptly, you had to find a new identity and that’s when you became obsessed with your flower garden and decided to pursue botany. Or maybe, you have stuck with football through it all, but your junior-year mental health struggle showed you that football should be fun and you have since started a nonprofit for local children to healthily engage with sports.

If your story itself is more cliche, try bringing readers to the present moment with you and show why the cliche matters and what it did for you. This requires a fair amount of creativity. Ensure you’re not parroting a frequently used topic by really thinking deeply to find your own unique spin.

Night had robbed the academy of its daytime colors, yet there was comfort in the dim lights that cast shadows of our advances against the bare studio walls. Silhouettes of roundhouse kicks, spin crescent kicks, uppercuts and the occasional butterfly kick danced while we sparred. She approached me, eyes narrowed with the trace of a smirk challenging me. “Ready spar!” Her arm began an upward trajectory targeting my shoulder, a common first move. I sidestepped — only to almost collide with another flying fist. Pivoting my right foot, I snapped my left leg, aiming my heel at her midsection. The center judge raised one finger. 

There was no time to celebrate, not in the traditional sense at least. Master Pollard gave a brief command greeted with a unanimous “Yes, sir” and the thud of 20 hands dropping-down-and-giving-him-30, while the “winners” celebrated their victory with laps as usual. 

Three years ago, seven-thirty in the evening meant I was a warrior. It meant standing up straighter, pushing a little harder, “Yes, sir” and “Yes, ma’am”, celebrating birthdays by breaking boards, never pointing your toes, and familiarity. Three years later, seven-thirty in the morning meant I was nervous. 

The room is uncomfortably large. The sprung floor soaks up the checkerboard of sunlight piercing through the colonial windows. The mirrored walls further illuminate the studio and I feel the light scrutinizing my sorry attempts at a pas de bourrée, while capturing the organic fluidity of the dancers around me. “Chassé en croix, grand battement, pique, pirouette.” I follow the graceful limbs of the woman in front of me, her legs floating ribbons, as she executes what seems to be a perfect ronds de jambes. Each movement remains a negotiation. With admirable patience, Ms. Tan casts me a sympathetic glance.   

There is no time to wallow in the misery that is my right foot. Taekwondo calls for dorsiflexion; pointed toes are synonymous with broken toes. My thoughts drag me into a flashback of the usual response to this painful mistake: “You might as well grab a tutu and head to the ballet studio next door.” Well, here I am Master Pollard, unfortunately still following your orders to never point my toes, but no longer feeling the satisfaction that comes with being a third degree black belt with 5 years of experience quite literally under her belt. It’s like being a white belt again — just in a leotard and ballet slippers. 

But the appetite for new beginnings that brought me here doesn’t falter. It is only reinforced by the classical rendition of “Dancing Queen” that floods the room and the ghost of familiarity that reassures me that this new beginning does not and will not erase the past. After years spent at the top, it’s hard to start over. But surrendering what you are only leads you to what you may become. In Taekwondo, we started each class reciting the tenets: honor, courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, courage, humility, and knowledge, and I have never felt that I embodied those traits more so than when I started ballet. 

The thing about change is that it eventually stops making things so different. After nine different schools, four different countries, three different continents, fluency in Tamil, Norwegian, and English, there are more blurred lines than there are clear fragments. My life has not been a tactfully executed, gold medal-worthy Taekwondo form with each movement defined, nor has it been a series of frappés performed by a prima ballerina with each extension identical and precise, but thankfully it has been like the dynamics of a spinning back kick, fluid, and like my chances of landing a pirouette, unpredictable. 

Why it works:

What’s especially powerful about this essay is that the author uses detailed imagery to convey a picture of what they’re experiencing, so much so that the reader is along for the ride. This works as a sports essay not only because of the language and sensory details, but also because the writer focuses on a specific moment in time, while at the same time exploring why Taekwondo is such an important part of their life.

After the emotional image is created, the student finishes their essay with valuable reflection. With the reflection, they show admissions officers that they are mature and self-aware. Self-awareness comes through with statements like “surrendering what you are only leads you to what you may become” and maturity can be seen through the student’s discussion of values “honor, courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, courage, humility, and knowledge, and I have never felt that I embodied those traits more so than when I started ballet.” These are the kinds of comments that should find their way into a sports essay!

“Advanced females ages 13 to 14 please proceed to staging with your coaches at this time.” Skittering around the room, eyes wide and pleading, I frantically explained my situation to nearby coaches. The seconds ticked away in my head; every polite refusal increased my desperation.

Despair weighed me down. I sank to my knees as a stream of competitors, coaches, and officials flowed around me. My dojang had no coach, and the tournament rules prohibited me from competing without one.

Although I wanted to remain strong, doubts began to cloud my mind. I could not help wondering: what was the point of perfecting my skills if I would never even compete? The other members of my team, who had found coaches minutes earlier, attempted to comfort me, but I barely heard their words. They couldn’t understand my despair at being left on the outside, and I never wanted them to understand.

Since my first lesson 12 years ago, the members of my dojang have become family. I have watched them grow up, finding my own happiness in theirs. Together, we have honed our kicks, blocks, and strikes. We have pushed one another to aim higher and become better martial artists. Although my dojang had searched for a reliable coach for years, we had not found one. When we attended competitions in the past, my teammates and I had always gotten lucky and found a sympathetic coach. Now, I knew this practice was unsustainable. It would devastate me to see the other members of my dojang in my situation, unable to compete and losing hope as a result. My dojang needed a coach, and I decided it was up to me to find one. 

I first approached the adults in the dojang – both instructors and members’ parents. However, these attempts only reacquainted me with polite refusals. Everyone I asked told me they couldn’t devote multiple weekends per year to competitions. I soon realized that I would have become the coach myself.

At first, the inner workings of tournaments were a mystery to me. To prepare myself for success as a coach, I spent the next year as an official and took coaching classes on the side. I learned everything from motivational strategies to technical, behind-the-scenes components of Taekwondo competitions. Though I emerged with new knowledge and confidence in my capabilities, others did not share this faith.

Parents threw me disbelieving looks when they learned that their children’s coach was only a child herself. My self-confidence was my armor, deflecting their surly glances. Every armor is penetrable, however, and as the relentless barrage of doubts pounded my resilience, it began to wear down. I grew unsure of my own abilities.

Despite the attack, I refused to give up. When I saw the shining eyes of the youngest students preparing for their first competition, I knew I couldn’t let them down. To quit would be to set them up to be barred from competing like I was. The knowledge that I could solve my dojang’s longtime problem motivated me to overcome my apprehension.

Now that my dojang flourishes at competitions, the attacks on me have weakened, but not ended. I may never win the approval of every parent; at times, I am still tormented by doubts, but I find solace in the fact that members of my dojang now only worry about competing to the best of their abilities.

Now, as I arrive at a tournament with my students, I close my eyes and remember the past. I visualize the frantic search for a coach and the chaos amongst my teammates as we compete with one another to find coaches before the staging calls for our respective divisions. I open my eyes to the exact opposite scene. Lacking a coach hurt my ability to compete, but I am proud to know that no member of my dojang will have to face that problem again.

In the beginning, you might think this is another cliche sports essay about overcoming adversity. But instead, it becomes a unique statement and coming-of-age tale that reads as a suspenseful narrative. 

The author connects their experience with martial arts to larger themes in their life but manages to do so without riffing off of tried-and-true themes. Through statements like “I knew I couldn’t let them down. To quit would be to set them up to be barred from competing like I was” we learn about the students values and their desire to be there for those who depend on them. 

The student also brings it full circle, demonstrating their true transformation. By using the “Same, but Different” ending technique , the student places themself in the same environment that we saw in the intro, but experiences it differently due to their actions throughout the narrative. This is very compelling!

“1…2…3…4 pirouettes! New record!” My friends cheered as I landed my turns. Pleased with my progress, I gazed down at my worn-out pointe shoes. The sweltering blisters, numbing ice-baths, and draining late-night practices did not seem so bad after all. Next goal: five turns.

For as long as I can remember, ballet, in all its finesse and glamor, had kept me driven day to day. As a child, the lithe ballerinas, donning ethereal costumes as they floated across the stage, were my motivation. While others admired Messi and Adele, I idolized Carlos Acosta, principal dancer of the Royal Ballet. 

As I devoted more time and energy towards my craft, I became obsessed with improving my technique. I would stretch for hours after class, forcing my leg one inch higher in an effort to mirror the Dance Magazine cover girls. I injured my feet and ruined pair after pair of pointe shoes, turning on wood, cement, and even grass to improve my balance as I spun. At competitions, the dancers with the 180-degree leg extensions, endless turns, and soaring leaps—the ones who received “Bravos!” from the roaring audience—further pushed me to refine my skills and perfect my form. I believed that, with enough determination, I would one day attain their level of perfection. Reaching the quadruple-pirouette milestone only intensified my desire to accomplish even more. 

My efforts seemed to have come to fruition two summers ago when I was accepted to dance with Moscow’s Bolshoi Ballet at their renowned New York City summer intensive. I walked into my first session eager to learn from distinguished ballet masters and worldly dancers, already anticipating my improvement. Yet, as I danced alongside the accomplished ballerinas, I felt out of place. Despite their clean technique and professional training, they did not aim for glorious leg extensions or prodigious leaps. When they performed their turn combinations, most of them only executed two turns as I attempted four. 

“Dancers, double-pirouettes only.” 

Taken aback and confused, I wondered why our teacher expected so little from us. The other ballerinas seemed content, gracing the studio with their simple movements. 

As I grew closer with my Moscow roommates, I gradually learned that their training emphasized the history of the art form instead of stylistic tricks. Rather than show off their physical ability, their performances aimed to convey a story, one that embodied the rich culture of ballet and captured both the legacy of the dancers before them and their own artistry. As I observed my friends more intently in repertoire class, I felt the pain of the grief-stricken white swan from Swan Lake, the sass of the flirtatious Kitri from Don Quijote, and I gradually saw what I had overlooked before. My definition of talent had been molded by crowd-pleasing elements—whirring pirouettes, gravity-defying leaps, and mind-blowing leg extensions. This mindset slowly stripped me from the roots of my passion and my personal connection with ballet. 

With the Bolshoi, I learned to step back and explore the meaning behind each step and the people behind the scenes. Ballet carries history in its movements, from the societal values of the era to each choreographer’s unique flair. As I uncovered the messages behind each pirouette, kick, and jump, my appreciation for ballet grew beyond my obsession with raw athleticism and developed into a love for the art form’s emotive abilities in bridging the dancers with the audience. My journey as an artist has allowed me to see how technical execution is only the means to a greater understanding between dancer and spectator, between storyteller and listener. The elegance and complexity of ballet does not revolve around astonishing stunts but rather the evocative strength and artistry manifested in the dancer, in me. It is the combination of sentiments, history, tradition, and passion that has allowed ballet and its lessons of human connection to become my lifestyle both on and off stage.

This essay is about lessons. While the author is a dancer, this narrative isn’t really about ballet, per se — it’s about the author’s personal growth. It is purposefully reflective as the student shows a nice character arc that begins with an eager young ballerina and ends with a reflection on their past. The primary strength of this essay is the honesty and authenticity that the student approaches it with.

In the end, the student turns a cliche on its head as they embrace the idea of overcoming adversity and demonstrate how the adversity, in this case, was their own stereotypes about their art. It’s beautiful!

“Getting beat is one thing – it’s part of competing – but I want no part in losing.” Coach Rob Stark’s motto never fails to remind me of his encouragement on early-morning bus rides to track meets around the state. I’ve always appreciated the phrase, but an experience last June helped me understand its more profound, universal meaning.

Stark, as we affectionately call him, has coached track at my high school for 25 years. His care, dedication, and emphasis on developing good character has left an enduring impact on me and hundreds of other students. Not only did he help me discover my talent and love for running, but he also taught me the importance of commitment and discipline and to approach every endeavor with the passion and intensity that I bring to running. When I learned a neighboring high school had dedicated their track to a longtime coach, I felt that Stark deserved similar honors.

Our school district’s board of education indicated they would only dedicate our track to Stark if I could demonstrate that he was extraordinary. I took charge and mobilized my teammates to distribute petitions, reach out to alumni, and compile statistics on the many team and individual champions Stark had coached over the years. We received astounding support, collecting almost 3,000 signatures and pages of endorsements from across the community. With help from my teammates, I presented this evidence to the board.

They didn’t bite. 

Most members argued that dedicating the track was a low priority. Knowing that we had to act quickly to convince them of its importance, I called a team meeting where we drafted a rebuttal for the next board meeting. To my surprise, they chose me to deliver it. I was far from the best public speaker in the group, and I felt nervous about going before the unsympathetic board again. However, at that second meeting, I discovered that I enjoy articulating and arguing for something that I’m passionate about.

Public speaking resembles a cross country race. Walking to the starting line, you have to trust your training and quell your last minute doubts. When the gun fires, you can’t think too hard about anything; your performance has to be instinctual, natural, even relaxed. At the next board meeting, the podium was my starting line. As I walked up to it, familiar butterflies fluttered in my stomach. Instead of the track stretching out in front of me, I faced the vast audience of teachers, board members, and my teammates. I felt my adrenaline build, and reassured myself: I’ve put in the work, my argument is powerful and sound. As the board president told me to introduce myself, I heard, “runners set” in the back of my mind. She finished speaking, and Bang! The brief silence was the gunshot for me to begin. 

The next few minutes blurred together, but when the dust settled, I knew from the board members’ expressions and the audience’s thunderous approval that I had run quite a race. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough; the board voted down our proposal. I was disappointed, but proud of myself, my team, and our collaboration off the track. We stood up for a cause we believed in, and I overcame my worries about being a leader. Although I discovered that changing the status quo through an elected body can be a painstakingly difficult process and requires perseverance, I learned that I enjoy the challenges this effort offers. Last month, one of the school board members joked that I had become a “regular” – I now often show up to meetings to advocate for a variety of causes, including better environmental practices in cafeterias and safer equipment for athletes.

Just as Stark taught me, I worked passionately to achieve my goal. I may have been beaten when I appealed to the board, but I certainly didn’t lose, and that would have made Stark proud.

This essay uses the idea of sports to explore a more profound topic—growing through relationships. They really embrace using sports as an avenue to tell the reader about a specific experience that changed the way they approach the world. 

The emphasis on relationships is why this essay works well and doesn’t fall into a cliche. The narrator grows not because of their experience with track but because of their relationship with their coach, who inspired them to evolve and become a leader.

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